Television’s grip on the public consciousness has shaped not only entertainment but also politics, culture, and society at large. Despite the rise of the internet and social media, TV remains a dominant force in politics, exemplified by Fox News’ outsized influence on the Trump administration.
TV is not merely a tool of communication; it is a mechanism of corporate authority that undermines democracy. From reinforcing wealth-driven political campaigns to marginalizing dissenting voices, TV has entrenched inequality and distorted public discourse. If we are to challenge its power, we must first understand how deeply its influence runs—and why past policy solutions have failed.
Television’s War on an Informed Citizenry
Critics like Jerry Mander and Neil Postman have long warned that television’s very structure hinders critical thinking and informed debate. Mander’s Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television argued that TV demands passive consumption, reducing viewers to mere spectators rather than active participants in society. Postman’s Amusing Ourselves to Death similarly described how TV prioritizes entertainment over substance, transforming politics into spectacle.
In the political realm, television has been particularly destructive:
- A Platform for Wealthy Interests:
Television campaigns are fueled by billion-dollar advertising budgets, granting wealthy donors disproportionate influence over public opinion. Instead of engaging with voters directly, candidates spend their time courting the corporate interests that fund these ads. - Marginalization of Dissent:
Alternative and dissenting voices rarely make it onto mainstream television. Corporate media filters out perspectives that challenge its economic interests, sidelining labor movements, environmental activists, and grassroots organizations in favor of status quo narratives. - The Horse Race Trap:
Television reduces politics to a horse race, focusing on polling, fundraising, and soundbites. This shallow coverage prioritizes spectacle over substance, leaving voters ill-equipped to make informed decisions. - Entrenched Corporate Narratives:
TV news networks, controlled by conglomerates, consistently frame issues in ways that benefit their owners. Whether it’s downplaying corporate tax evasion or promoting military interventions, television reinforces a worldview that aligns with elite interests.
Why Previous Policy Proposals Failed
Efforts to regulate television’s political power—such as public broadcasting investments, campaign finance reform, or media literacy programs—have consistently fallen short. Here’s why:
- Public Broadcasting is Marginalized: Funding cuts and political interference have weakened public media, leaving it unable to compete with the slick production and wide reach of corporate networks.
- Campaign Finance Laws are Evaded: Loopholes like Super PACs and dark money have rendered regulations on political advertising ineffective. Wealthy interests continue to dominate the airwaves.
- Media Literacy Lacks Reach: Education programs on media literacy, while valuable, are underfunded and rarely implemented at scale. They also struggle to counter the sheer volume of manipulative content produced by corporate media.
A New Path: Dismantling Television’s Authority
Rather than attempting to reform television’s role in politics, we should focus on reducing its authority altogether. This approach recognizes that the medium itself is inherently flawed as a tool for fostering democratic engagement.
Here are three radical alternatives to curb TV’s power:
1. Crowdsourced Public Debate Platforms
Shift political discourse to digital platforms designed for participatory engagement. Unlike television, these platforms can host long-form debates, provide interactive fact-checking tools, and allow for community-driven discussions. By decentralizing control, such platforms reduce the dominance of corporate narratives.
Example: Deliberative online forums, modeled after citizen assemblies, where people can engage in policy debates free from the influence of advertisers or media conglomerates.
2. Decentralized News Production
Support independent, grassroots news networks that operate on decentralized funding models. With tools like blockchain for transparent donations and community governance, these networks can bypass the corporate gatekeepers that control traditional media.
Example: A global cooperative of independent journalists who share resources, ensuring diverse, unfiltered reporting across regions and topics.
3. Defund Political Advertising Entirely
Rather than regulating campaign ads, eliminate them. This could be achieved by mandating publicly funded, free airtime for political candidates during elections. Instead of flooding the airwaves with paid ads, candidates would participate in equal-time debates, interviews, and issue forums aired on public and independent media channels.
Example: A nationalized election coverage system that guarantees equal exposure for all candidates without financial barriers.
The End of Television’s Authority
Marshall McLuhan warned that “the medium shapes and controls the scale and form of human association and action.” Television, as a corporate-controlled medium, has done exactly that—eroding democratic participation and concentrating power in the hands of the few.
But the decline of TV’s cultural dominance offers an opportunity to reshape how we engage with politics and media. By embracing decentralized, participatory alternatives, we can weaken television’s authoritarian grip and build systems that prioritize critical thinking, collaboration, and equity.
